SACBE Newspaper

Balamku: A Lovers’ Coastal Hideaway

What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than sharing with your lover the quintessential tropical fantasy! Let the deserted, sandy beaches, coco palms and turquoise-blue waters of the Costa Maya set the stage so that all you will need is a bottle of wine and a love nest. Enter Balamku.

My husband and I combed the internet for a romantic retreat and happened upon Balamku’s website. We were intrigued by the circular architecture of the buildings and had always wanted to explore the untamed splendor of the Costa Maya, so we set off to rendezvous in the small fishing village of Mahahual. After a three hour drive down the coast from Akumal to Mahahual, we arrived at Balamku, “home of the jaguar”.

“Is this the place?” my husband asked. Oh, I hoped so. It was more enchanting than online pictures could convey. Our hostess, Carol, greeted us and gave us a tour of the grounds. Carol and Alan, the owners and operators of Balamku, chose to landscape leaving using the existing indigenous plants and tress, such as ancient sea grapes, icaco and palm trees, resulting in a Mayan Garden of Eden. Carol showed us to our upper level room. The ten-foot high ceilings gave the room a luxurious feel and the thatched roof was a work of art. Mexican masks hung on the walls and Guatemalan textiles graced the queen-sized bed bringing to mind the phrase “Mayan contemporary”. The hand-painted sinks, large walk-in showers and plush towels were sumptuous.

With just enough daylight to test our couple cooperation skills in a kayak, my husband and I paddled around the bay. We observed a couple of pelicans frolicking in the water – other lovebirds enjoying the unspoiled natural beauty of the area.

Balamku is an alternate energy hotel using wind and solar power to provide visitors with 24-hour electricity. Grey water from the showers and sinks is naturally recycled into constructed wetlands, providing controlled nutrition to a variety of exotic plants. All septic waste and water from the toilets goes into composting units (no septic tanks).
Carol and Alan created an atmosphere of comfort for their guests while at the same time respecting and preserving the environment. Even the soap and shampoo is biodegradable!

We had planned to get up early to catch the sunrise, but because the room has a circular design with all windows facing the water, we could snuggle under the luxury linens to watch the daybreak while sipping rich, organic Chiapas coffee provided in our room. We ate a delicious breakfast in the sunny dining room of the main house. I noticed the corners were rounded as well. Carol said she wanted to keep the same positive feel throughout the hotel,
Our stay at Balamku was one of our most romantic weekends. The hotel provided all the comforts of a resort without the noisy crowds. We felt good about choosing an eco-friendly establishment because we want the Costa Maya to be just as beautiful when we visit in the years to come.